Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) have shown to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events in very-high cardiovascular risk patients, even with chronic kidney disease. However, the experience is very scarce in kidney transplant (KT) recipients. Method We performed a prospective cohort study of KT recipients who started evolocumab in our hospital (15/09/22–11/05/23) and were followed during at least 6 months. The criteria for its prescription were not achieving therapeutic c-LDL goals despite high-potency statins and ezetimibe treatment or adverse effects of statins (myalgias, hypertransaminasemia). Total cholesterol, c-LDL, triglycerides, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria were compared at baseline, 1st, 3rd and 6th month after starting the treatment. We also collected drug-related adverse effects and immunosuppressive trough levels. Results In this period, 13 KT started evolocumab. Previous lipid-lowering treatments were maintained. Mean KT vintage was 32.4 months and 69.2% had personal history of ischemic heart disease. Median follow-up was 7 months. Mean baseline c-LDL was 102.9 mg/dL and eGFR was 49 mL/min/m2. In the 3rd month after starting the treatment, we observed a reduction in cholesterol and c-LDL (p = 0.008, p = 0.009), which was maintained at 6 months (p < 0.001, p = 0.002). However, no differences were found in triglycerides, eGFR, albuminuria and plasma immunosuppressants levels (Fig. 1). No cases of acute rejection or adverse effects were reported. In 5 patients, anti-HLA antibodies were determined as a part of their routine follow-up 6 months after the drug prescription and were negative. Conclusion In our experience, we observed good results with evolocumab, since total cholesterol and c-LDL reduced rapidly after starting the treatment. Furthermore, renal function maintained stable, no change in proteinuria and no other safety concerns were reported. In our case, neither tacrolimus nor everolimus trough levels remained unchanged and no immunological adverse outcomes were notified. More studies in this population and with longer follow-up are needed to assess the benefit on KT recipients and graft survival.

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